Vodafone staff are devastated by news it is to close one of its UK customer service centers after believing their jobs were safe following a prior round of redundancies, a leading union claims.
A spokesperson for the Communications Workers Union (CWU) says the decision was a “bitter blow” for around 200 staff affected by the closure, and warned Vodafone that its outsourcing strategy will impact customer service.
“We are very concerned that some roles may be outsourced in this move…This would inevitably mean lower wages and worse terms and conditions for staff,” the spokesperson said.
Vodafone yesterday announced it will close the center in June 2012 and consolidate its operations into a new site as part of a strategy to build centers of excellence for customer service.
The CWU staffer says the firm should offer relocation packages and urged Vodafone “to make employment considerations and staff relations a priority.”
Vodafone spokeswoman Abi Brown told Telecoms Europe.net the carrier will help staff to find alternative roles and that it gave them “as much notice as we can.” The decision to close the center is “about creating a lean and fast-moving organisation,” she states.